The Complete Idiot's Guide to Wills and Estates, Third Edition [Mass Market Paperback]

Stephen Maple (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 2, 2005 | Series: The Complete Idiot's Guide

Start planning for the future today.

Although a majority of Americans know they need a will, about 70% of them don’t have one. In fact, the legalities involved are not very complicated and most people can get it done easily with this book. Estate planning is largely the same. In this revised and updated edition of Complete Idiot’s Guide to Wills and Estates, readers will find a complete inventory of everything to be considered in creating wills and estate planning, vital information on trusts, taxes, and eldercare planning, and much more.

• All tax information revised and updated

• Sections on IRAs and Roth IRAs have been revised to reflect changes in the law

• Features online estate and financial planning sites

• Additional coverage of post-mortem estate planning

• Additional material on eldercare planning, such as living and support arrangements

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Stephen Maple is an associate professor of business law and tax at the University of Indianapolis, where he has been named university teacher of the year. An attorney, he has been a member of the Indiana bar since 1969, practicing primarily in estate planning and probate. He has written over 60 articles and book reviews, and is the author of The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Law for Small Business Owners.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Alpha; 3 edition (August 2, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1592573630
• ISBN-13: 978-1592573639
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #761,985 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

38 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very understandable over view of a complex subject!, September 3, 2001

By 

Marc "Fundraisingcoach.com" (Waterville, ME, United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Complete Idiot's Guide To Wills And Estates (Paperback)

As a development officer for a prep school, I was looking for a book that would give me a birds-eye view of issues involved with estate planning. Steve Maples The Complete Idiots Guide to Wills and Estates does this masterfully. And, to my relief, in plain English. Impressive for an attorney thats taught and practiced for the over 25 years!

In very easy-to-read language, Maple thoroughly lays out the whole terrain of estate planningfrom having a will to ways to save on current taxes and issues to consider in caring for aging parents. Going beyond mere explanation, hes packed this book with helpful forms and lists to get the reader started in their own estate planning. I picked up this book to help me with my conversations with donors but I ended up sitting down with an attorney to work on my own plan!

Maple groups his 24 chapters into five sections:

Part 1: Assets, Assets, Assets
Part 2: About Wills, Trusts. . . and Probate
Part 3: All in the Familyand Just a Little Beyond
Part 4: Taxes You Must Pay, and Those Maybe You Dont
Part 5: Retirement, Elder Issues, and the Broad Planning Picture

The structure of The Complete Idiots Guide to Wills and Estates makes it a great book for busy professionals. Its very easy to read in short chunks of time. And its not just for the beginner. Although its now somewhat dated, Maple gives some pretty technical examinations of taxes and IRS regulations. For readers that way find themselves losing interest during the dryer technical sections there are tips, quotes, and anecdotal information interspersed throughout. As a development professional, I was particularly glad for Chapter 18 How Charitable Donations Can Save You Money. Im trying to figure out how I could make this chapter required reading for prospective donors.

More than any planned giving seminar Ive attended, and for a lot less money, The Complete Idiots Guide to Wills and Estates has helped me see estate planning from the donors perspective. I highly recommend this book.

38 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars good to start out with.., April 4, 2000

By 

The Taylor Family - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Complete Idiot's Guide To Wills And Estates (Paperback)

Excellent source of information for anyone who doesn't have a clue where to start. Easy to read and packed with hints. Motivating little scenarios to keep those of us who have been procrastinating in motion. Both my husband (who this was all new to) and myself (with a background in accounting) found it to be useful.

30 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars up to snuff, November 14, 2000

By 

M. H. Bayliss "book queen" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Complete Idiot's Guide To Wills And Estates (Paperback)

I'm a big fan of the idiot's guides since they are always clear and easy to follow. The authors do an excellent job of explaining complex terms and concepts so even an ordinary person can understand the reasons behind drafting a will. After reading this book, you'll see that you'll want to do everything you can so that you do not find yourself "intestate" -- then the state fights over what belongs to whom. Although it's difficult to think about dying, it's even worse to think about having all your money thrown to taxes or tied up in court as relatives fight. Prevent this ugly mess by learning the basics of wills and estates. I should add that this book goes well beyond the basics -- even a millionaire could learn a few good tips from this excellent book.